FAQs About the Christmas Tree Check Off Program

The 2015 Christmas season is the first time Christmas tree growers will market trees under the Christmas Tree Promotion, Research and Information Order (otherwise known as the Christmas tree checkoff). The following information is designed to provide growers with all the details they need to understand the program, what the Christmas Tree Promotion Board (CTPB) plans to achieve and how growers will pay their assessments.

What is the Christmas Tree Promotion and Research Order?

A US Department of Agriculture regulation that governs the CTPB, authorizes the Board to manage an effective program of promotion, research, evaluation and information designed to strengthen the Christmas tree industry’s position in the marketplace and defines who is required to pay assessments on Christmas tree sales.

Who is required to pay the assessment?

The payment of assessments on domestic Christmas trees that are cut and sold will be the responsibility of the producer who produces the Christmas trees or causes the trees to be cut. Each importer of Christmas trees shall pay the assessment to the Board on Christmas trees imported for marketing in the United States during a marketing year. Any producer who cuts and sells less than 500 Christmas trees in a fiscal period or any importer who imports less than 500 Christmas trees in a fiscal period may obtain an exemption from the assessment.

Various business activities that are common in the industry may cause some confusion on who is required to pay the assessment; one rule simplifies that decision. Whoever owns the trees at the time of cutting pays the assessment.

What is the assessment rate? When is payment due? Are there late payment penalties?

The assessment is 15 cents per Christmas tree produced domestically or imported into the United States. All assessment payments are to be received by the board no later than February 15 of the following year in which they are cut and sold. A late payment charge plus interest will be imposed on any producer or importer who fails to remit to the board the total amount for which such producer or importer is liable on or before the due date.

How are assessments paid?

The CTPB will provide remittance forms to the industry with detailed instructions on where and how to send payments. Payments will be made to the CTPB by check and sent directly to the CTPB’s bank lock box as designated by the board.

What will the CTPB do with the money?

CTPB will invest its resources to achieve its vision and mission of enhancing the value and demand for cut Christmas trees, improving the future of the industry by creating and increasing opportunities for growers, importers and others in the industry through promotion, research and education programs.

How can I help?

CTPB needs to communicate to all growers, you can help us add to our grower contact list by sharing names of growers in your area or in your business network to ensure they receive all of the CTPB’s information.

How Can I learn more?

The best source of information for the Christmas Tree Promotion and Research Order and the activities of the CTPB is our website: www.christmastreepromotionboard.org. At the website you can learn more about the Order, view and engage with the public relations and social media efforts, download program forms and update your contact information.

Questions? – Can be addressed to any board member, or the management team:

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